Written by:

David Hosea

Last updated: November 1, 2023

My wife and I are full time RVers.  We like flexibility in our camping and do not want to rule out winter destinations simply because we have cold propane tanks and we burn through our propane in cold weather more quickly than other times of the year.

In freezing weather, we discovered that our cold propane tanks do not last as long as they do in warmer months.  We expect to consume more propane to keep our furnace running, so we do not expect a tank to last as long as it does in the summer.  But there seemed to be more to it.

Even with a partially filled but cold propane tank, we could not fully utilize the fuel.  I felt like we did not get the pressure we were accustomed to and that we needed to refill the tank before it was actually empty. 

I started griping to my wife one day about having to take a partially filled tank to top it off again. She didn’t say anything at first.

I’ll add for context that one of her first jobs out of college was in a space program.

She simply stared at me until I started squirming, then replied with, “PV=nRT.” My eyes must have glazed over because then she added, “it is the Ideal Gas Law in action.”

If you want to improve propane pressure in cold weather, warm up the tanks.

It was time for me to read up on it…

The Ideal Gas Law

The Ideal Gas Law explains how pressure, volume, temperature, and amount of gas are related and is described in the formula, PV=nRT.  It explains why our propane tanks do not seem to last as long when we are camping in freezing temps.  

Here’s a breakdown of the formula…

• P = Pressure, refers to pressure which is the force exerted on an object by the gas
• V = Volume, how much space the gas takes up
• n = amount of substance, refers to the number of gas molecules
• R = ideal gas constant, helps calculate the behavior of gasses
• T = Temperature, a measure of how hot or cold the gas is

The Problem

How do improve the pressure in cold propane tanks?

To improve the pressure in cold propane tanks when it is freezing outside, keep the tanks warm. The liquid propane stored in RVs need to absorb a certain amount of heat to vaporize, and when the temperature is low, there may not be enough heat available to vaporize the propane at the necessary rate.

Propane is stored as a liquid in the tank, is vaporized, then is used as a gas to power some of our appliances.  When it gets cold outside, it can be difficult to vaporize enough propane to meet the demand. This can cause the pressure of the propane to drop, which can make it hard to use our propane appliances.  

Understanding the relationship between the amount of gas we have in cylinder and the temperature of that gas explains why our propane pressure seems to change with the weather.  It also guides us toward a solution.

The Solution

If the problem is diminished propane pressure during extremely cold weather, then the solution must be to keep the propane tanks warm. 

Keeping propane tanks from freezing will increase propane pressure during the cold-weather season.  Here are a few ideas for keeping propane tanks warm.  

• Keep the propane tank in a warm place, such as a heated compartment, to prevent the propane from getting too cold.
• Keep the tank as full as possible: A full propane tank will have less air inside it, which means there is less room for condensation to form on the outside and ice over.  
• Use a propane tank heater: Propane tank heaters can be attached to the tank to keep it warm, and they can be controlled using thermostats or timers.  They will require electricity or propane to operate, but they provide consistent heat.
• Use a propane tank cover: A propane tank cover will protect tanks from the elements and provide a little insulation.
• Add insulation around the propane tanks.  Insulating the tank can help to keep the tank and its contents warmer by preventing heat loss to the cold outside air.  This is a relatively inexpensive way to protect tanks from the elements and it doesn’t rely on electricity or propane.  We used a fleece blanket at first, but found it hard to wrap the tank in a way that kept it covered while allowing the propane tank cover to slip over it.  This was not an effective solution for us. 
• Use propane tank warming blankets that plug into an AC outlet.  They wrap around the propane tank and are designed to maintain a steady temperature.  Warming blankets are specially designed electric blankets that use a durable and weather resistant material with heating elements to trap heat and prevent the propane from getting too cold.

It’s important to note that propane tank warming tools should be used with caution and according to the manufacturer’s instructions. They should never be used with damaged or leaking propane tanks and should be kept away from any ignition sources. RVers should also be sure to monitor the temperature of the propane tank and lines regularly, and to follow all safety guidelines for using propane in their RV.

After considering all of the options above, we decided to use electric propane tank warming blankets.

Propane tank warming blankets were the best option for us because:

• The blankets wrap tightly around the propane tank and only take a little extra space.  The propane tank cover slips over the tanks.
• We chose blankets that are sized for a 20-pound tank and have an overlapping edge.  We wrap one blanket around the bottom half of our 40-pound tank and a second around the upper half.  The overlapping edge ensures that the tank is almost completely covered by the heating elements.
• The blankets use a small amount of electricity to generate heat. For us, this is more efficient and cost-effective than using a tank heater or other heating methods that require additional propane.
• The blankets are easy to store when not in use.  When the weather is warm enough, we fold the blankets in half, place them in a tote, and store them in the bed of the pickup and out of the way. 

How effective are propane tank warming blankets? 

Tank warming blankets raise a cold propane tank’s temperature by as much as 50 degrees making them very effective in cold weather. 

To illustrate, we were camping in Santa Fe, NM while the high temperatures were in the low to mid 30s and the lows were in the teens.  I checked tank-temps one morning with an infrared thermometer when the outside air temperature was 19 degrees.  The tanks are protected by a shroud so there is some separation to the outside air. Still, the tank uncovered by the warming blankets registered 23 degrees; the covered tank was 72. 

Wrapping it up…

Warming RV propane tanks in extremely cold weather is essential to stretching a tank’s usefulness.  It reduces propane expenses and stretches the interval between refills. 

Some refill stations use a “dry weight” for refills and we get charged the same amount whether the tank is half full or completely empty.  If we have propane in the bottom of the tank when we refill, we are paying for that propane twice. So, it is less expensive in the long run to refill tanks that are completely empty.

Reducing the frequency of refills is helpful as well because we must interrupt the day’s routine to disconnect, travel to a refill station and back, then reconnect the tank to our system.  Spending that time on an RV chore is not as bad when it is 70 degrees outside but is not nearly as fun when it is bitterly cold with snow and ice on the ground.

Each solution discussed above has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The best solution for keeping propane warm in cold weather will depend on a variety of factors, such as the climate in which you are traveling, the type of RV you have, and your personal preferences and budget.

We found a solution that works for us.  It may be helpful to consult a propane expert or another experienced RV owner to determine which solution is right for you.

See you down the road!

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